Bill > SB720

This bill requires hospitals licensed in Maryland to establish and maintain a clinical staffing committee with equal representation from management and employees, designed to develop and implement a comprehensive clinical staffing plan to ensure quality healthcare delivery. The committee must include diverse representatives such as certified nursing assistants, emergency room nurses, environmental service workers, and either a resident (in teaching hospitals) or a physician (in non-teaching hospitals). The clinical staffing plan will establish recommended staffing ratios for patient units, specifying the appropriate number of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers needed for each shift based on patient population, acuity levels, and national evidence-based standards. Hospitals must review and update their staffing plan annually, considering factors like patient volume, care complexity, and staff expertise. Starting January 1, 2026, hospitals must implement these plans, publicly post the staffing details in patient care units and on their websites, and create a process for staff to submit and resolve complaints about staffing variations. The bill does not apply to state hospitals and is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, with hospitals required to establish committees by January 1, 2026, and develop initial staffing plans by July 1, 2026.